The Face Guide: Eye Regimens

Solutions and secrets for the best skin ever!

Jun 8, 2012

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Philippe Salomon

Eye Regimens: Shed some light on the issue.

Eye creams with skin-lightening agents such as kojic acid and hydroquinone can be quite successful at reducing the appearance of dark circles. Your makeup bag can also help: Use yellow-based concealers if dark circles are purpler in hue and pink-based hues if the circles have a greener tinge.

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Getty Images

Eye Regimens: Pinpoint the source of darkness.

First determine the cause of your dark circles. Lifestyle (lack of sleep, diet, stress, etc.) can be the main culprit but so can hereditary inclination to the condition and allergies (especially if puffiness accompanies the affliction). Press the area lightly. If the darkened skin momentarily brightens, poor circulation, water retention, or allergies are to blame; if skin tone remains the same, it’s hyperpigmented.

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Imaxtree

Eye Regimens: Pump up lashes with stimulants and conditioners.

One of the most popular ways to turn up the volume on your lash growth is by using lash-growth stimulants and conditioners. Both over-the-counter and prescription options are available. Read the ingredients and discuss all your options (and possible side effects) with your optometrist before beginning any stimulant regimen.

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Imaxtree

Eye Regimens: Lash out with extensions.

Love the long lashes you get with mascara and falsies and wish the results could last for weeks? Look into lash extensions for the ultimate in look-at-me lashes. Applied by a professional, these red-carpet-worthy options are attached to the ends of existing lashes, with additional fakes applied to fill in any gaps. Results can last for up to three months, with extensions falling away with your normal lash-shedding process.

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Ben Ritter

Eye Regimens: Give eyes the proper arch support.

A strong brow can enhance the appearance of your eyes and lashes. Work with an expert to discover the brow shape that suits your face best, and maintain that shape with regular grooming. Overplucked brows can be regrown with serums or tattooed on for a more permanent effect. Finally, the perfect brow kit can add a whole new dimension to your makeup look for a whole new you.

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Mark Platt

Eye Regimens: Make the most of your kitchen and medicine cabinet.

The solution to undereye bags can be right in your own home, as there are plenty of time-tested remedies in your kitchen and medicine cabinet. Cotton balls soaked in witch hazel or lavender oil, cool tea bags, cucumber slices, and slightly chilled teaspoons can all soothe and reduce the appearance of puffy undereyes. A chilled wet washcloth can also work in a pinch, and keeping a chilled ice mask on the door of a refrigerator can work wonders for those who suffer from the condition regularly.

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David Burton

Eye Regimens: Turn over a new leaf.

Lifestyle changes can have a dramatic effect in the reduction of undereye puffiness. Start by getting enough sleep and using a pillow that provides adequate head and neck support to promote lymphatic drainage. Dietary and exercise improvements can also have great effect: Reducing sodium and alcohol as well as exercising regularly can all help alleviate undereye bags.

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iStockphoto

Eye Regimens: Forget excess baggage.

Want to pack undereye bags away for good? Fluid retention is most likely caused by your lifestyle—sodium- or alcohol-laden diet, late nights, smoking, stress—and poor circulation. Eye cream that contains vitamin K will increase blood flow to the area, returning the undereye area to its normal state. While applying it, gently press various pressure points—the beginning and end of the brows, corners of the eyes, and temples—to aid in fluid reduction.

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